Encyclopedia > Alfrodull

  Article Content

Alfrodull

Alfrodull or "glory-of-elves" is a term and common kenning in Norse mythology. It is ambiguous, referring both to the rider and to the sun-chariot of Sol and pulled by two horses, Arvak and Alsvid. The chariot is pursued by the wolf Fenrir, known as Skoll in some accounts. According to Norse mythology, prior to the end of the world, Ragnarok, Sol will give birth to a daughter, the girl will be eaten by the wolf but the daughter will take her place. The name Asphodel is derived from this word.

The following is from Vafthruthnismal:

Óðinn kvað:

"Hvaðan kemur sól
á hinn slétta himin,
þá er þessa hefur Fenrir farið?"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

"Eina dóttur
ber Álfröðull,
áður hana Fenrir fari.
Sú skal ríða,
þá er regin deyja,
móður brautir mær."

Modern poetic English translation:

Odin spoke:

"From whence will come the sun
To span the skies,
When Fenrir has destroyed the girl?"

Vafthruthnir spoke:

"A daughter born to Alfrodull,
Before the Fenris wolf destroys her.
The girl will ride her mother's paths
When the gods are slain."



All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

 
  Search Encyclopedia

Search over one million articles, find something about almost anything!
 
 
  
  Featured Article
Thomas a Kempis

... against temptation and how to resist it, reflections about death and the judgment, meditations upon the oblation of Christ, and admonitions to flee the vanities of ...

 
 
 
This page was created in 23 ms